When studying a passage in the gospels, we must handle parallel passages with care. We’ll make better use of the parallels if we don’t merely harmonize but illuminate.
For example, let’s take Luke’s Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6. Much time could be spent on the question of harmonization: Is this the same sermon as Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, or not? How do we harmonize these two extensive teachings of Jesus?
But that question of harmonization is not nearly as important as the following:
- What is Luke’s message in Luke 6?
- What is Matthew’s message in Matthew 5-7?
Those questions may not have the same answer!
To help you with this example, let me recommend an article called “The Sermon on the Plain: What It Is & How It Differs from the Sermon on the Mount.” I wrote this article to analyze some of the similarities and differences between the two sermons. But ultimately, I wanted to get to these four suggestions:
- Don’t be distracted by the Mount/Plain question
- Read the entire sermon as a sermon
- Read the sermon in the context of Luke’s Gospel
- Read, read, and read again
